“We’ve always felt treating the animals humanely is the right thing to do," says Ryan Meyer, Director of Cattle Procurement. "Our cattle handling facilities were designed by Dr. Temple Grandin to minimize stress at our facility. Creekstone Farms sees Certified Humane verification as the logical next step. We have always been focused on low stress animal handling practices, but a third party verification by Humane Farm Animal Care gives consumers even more confidence that we are practicing what we preach.”

Creekstone Farms has been committed to humane handling throughout its company history, as their cattle-receiving facility was the first to be built from the ground up according to the standards of consultant and livestock facility designer, Dr. Temple Grandin. Creekstone Farms did not change its beef production process to qualify for Certified Humane. In order to be eligible for the certification, Creekstone passed stringent audits that follow the animals from birth throughout their lives.​

Lavender bistro proudly serves California Dates; known for their sweet flavor, health benefits and nutrients. We have integrated them into our menu for you to enjoy. Savor their fragrant flavor in our ever-popular Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates -stuffed with Spanish Almonds on a bed of mixed greens with Point Reyes Bleu Cheese dressing! ​

The Birth of California’s Date Industry in the Coachella ValleyIn 1904, Bernard G. Johnson, established a UDSA experimental station near Mecca, California. Johnson studied the desert’s climate and date palms’ growth, keeping thorough records of the six varieties he cultivated from offshoots brought over by the USDA in the 1890’s obtained from Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Iraq.

Three years later, a major flood formed the Salton Sea forcing Johnson to move his experimental garden just west of Indio. He imported Deglet Noor offshoots from Algeria and Iraq for this garden and continued nurturing the plants. His gardens flourished, proving the Coachella Valley’s potential for becoming a date growing region. Johnson today is regarded as the “father” of California’s Date industry.

​Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese CompanyThe Original Blue Cheese​Produced on their family farm since 2000, California’s classic style blue cheese is rindless, all-natural and gluten-free. The addictive flavor is bold with hints of sweet milk and a peppery finish.

Made from raw (non-pasteurized), rBST-free cows’ milk

Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet

Aged 3.5 months

Certified Gluten Free

TASTING NOTES:

Milky white in color with blue-green veins throughout

Ultra-creamy texture with medium-strong blue mold flavor

Sweet, fresh milk with a medium-to-strong punch of blue flavor

​USES AND PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:Original Blue is great as a stand-alone table cheese, for topping salads, melting onto burgers and steak, mixing into pasta or risotto, incorporating into scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes, and so much more.Pair with red wine like Cabernet and Zinfandel, where the fruit forward berry flavors and a hint of spicy chocolate play nicely with the peppery finish of the cheese.